Service Members, Veterans & Their Families

Celebrate Neosho to honor military, veterans and emergency personnel

June 18--NEOSHO, Mo. -- This year's Celebrate Neosho event, the city's Independence Day celebration, will focus on paying tribute to active-duty military, veterans, police officers, firefighters and emergency service professionals.

"Over the years the event has spread out and grown, and we really want to pull back the events and get them focused on what they're truly for," said Paul Richardson, Neosho public relations director and events coordinator.

The event's centerpiece will be the extended air show, which begins at 5 p.m.June 30 at the Neosho Hugh Robinson Airport, 1400 Terry Johnson Memorial Drive. It will feature a number of pilots who will perform aerobatic maneuvers and showcase their speed until 9:45 p.m., when a fireworks display will begin. The show will conclude the celebration.

"The air show is the jewel of this event," Richardson said.

Set up throughout the day will be various ground displays such as planes that will be used in the air show, a medical helicopter, a firefighter tribute truck, police vehicles from the Newton County Sheriff's Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol and a military tribute truck.

"We want the public to come out and have contact with all of these groups and the displays that are presented," Richardson said. "I think it's educational for the kids as well."

Other Celebrate Neosho activities include:

--Flights for hire from Arkansas Helicopters or Alpha Air for both helicopters or fixed wing planes throughout the afternoon. There is also the opportunity to skydive for hire from Skydive Airtight.

--A car show from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is no entry fee, and trophies and dash plaques will be awarded to the winners of competitions, including best of show, kid's choice, best paint and best interior. For more information, call 417-451-8050.

--A pingpong ball drop at 1 p.m. Children can collect pingpong balls that can be exchanged for prizes.

--A duck drop hosted by the Neosho Lions Club at 3:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased throughout the day at $5 per ticket or five tickets for $20. Cash prizes will be awarded for the winners.

--High-speed runs down the runway by members of the Kansas City Exotic Super Car Club. Their cars will also be displayed in the car show area for a closer look.